§ Mr. Willie W. Hamiltonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many hospital beds have been permanently closed in each hospital board area since 1 July 1979; how many such closures were due to financial restrictions; and what further closures are contemplated in the current financial year.
§ Mr. John MacKayThe following table shows the net changes in bed complements from 31 March 1979 to September 1982, the latest available date:
524W
Health Board Net change in bed complement between 31 March to September 1982 Argyll and Clyde -46 Ayrshire and Arran -28 Borders +30
Health Board Net change in bed complement between 31 March to September 1982 Dumfries and Galloway -173 Fife +52 Forth Valley -286 Grampian -311 Greater Glasgow -205 Highland -160 Lanarkshire -167 Lothian +95 Orkney +2 Shetland No change Tayside -363 Western Isles -17 -1,577 The adjustment of bed complements is a matter for local management unless closure of a whole hospital is involved, and I am therefore not in a position to say what further closures boards may be contemplating in the current year.